First question is probably, “What the heck is Wabi-Sabi?” So I’ll go ahead and quench your curiosity before you go and look it up. It’s a Japanese word that means to be able to find beauty in things that are imperfect, incomplete, and impermanent. We chose this particular team name together because we found it as an accurate illustration of the way that God sees us. He accepts and loves us regardless of our many flaws, the fact that we don’t have it all put together, and that we clearly can’t do anything by ourselves. So come on in and check out the people that put together team Wabi-Sabi!
These are the 5 people that I will be doing ministry with the first few months of The World Race. Back row: Myself and Stone. Front row: Ashley, Allie, and Susanna.
Here is a little introduction from each person. Be sure to watch the video at the end!
Zachary Heald
“I’m 24 years old, and I currently reside near Atlanta, GA. Some cool things about my life are that I grew up in a foster home with hundreds of other brothers and sisters. I love to go hiking, spend time with the fam, and pet animals, I LOVE furry beasts! While I’m on the World Race my job will be the treasurer, gotta be careful with them stacks so we still get to eat. I’m super pumped to roll out in January and share the Gospel with my new fam Wabi-Sabi and the whole Expedition squad!”
Stone (Preston) Hood (stonehood.theworldrace.org)
“I’m 22, and from Tennessee, baby (or Dixie Land). I have one older brother named Rock. My mom is a barber. Favorite scripture is Job 23:10-17. I love Christ, videography, and anything to do with food or sports.”
Ashley Smith (ashleysmith.theworldrace.org)
“I’m 25 and I am a born and raised Californian. I currently work a multitude of jobs (club manager, administrative assistant, barista, dog sitter and babysitter) and have 3 brothers who I love dearly. I grew up doing an assortment of performing arts (theatre, band, and choir) but God changed my passion from those things to Him. I enjoy reading, coffee dates, warm drinks, sunsets and the stars. Seeing other people love each other is one of my favorite things to see in this world. Weird thing: my right ear is flat due to an unfortunate incident with a curling iron as a kid. On the World Race I will be a Beauty for Ashes coordinator; helping women find their freedom and empowering them to walk as daughters of God.”
Allison Vickers (allisonvickers.theworldrace.org)
“I’m Allie 24, I live in Dallas, TX. I love dogs – I have a cute pup named Olive that loves to cuddle and nap. I love to run and I’m a big fan of waking up and sipping some coffee to the sunrise. I’m also a Beauty for Ashes Coordinator on the race! I’m big on making sure people feel seen and heard but I’m also big on cracking jokes and making light of any and every situation.”
Susanna Bekedam (susannabekedam.theworldrace.org)
“I’m 23, and I live in Minnesota, but I grew up in Japan until I was 11. I went to Japanese public school, international school, and was homeschooled 6-12 grade. For the last 4 years, I worked full-time as a caregiver for my grandparents. In my free time, I like to sew, crochet, and play my guitar. My parents were missionaries in Japan, and now my dad is a pastor and my mom has a home business doing quilting. I have an older brother and older sister. On the World Race, my job will be worship coordinator, and I am very excited to see what that will look like, and how God will grow me!”
Here is our team introduction video:
So that’s Wabi-Sabi and I am so absolutely thrilled to serve Christ while serving others in this mission to share the gospel with the nations! So, as you are praying for me, pray for Allie, Ashley, Stone, and Susanna too. We all in this together!
